The Youth Wing of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) has honoured 14 distinguished personalities from communities in Aguata Local Government Area in recognition of their exemplary character, philanthropy, mentorship and outstanding contributions to community development.
The award ceremony, held at the Solution Stadium, Ekwulobia, celebrated individuals whose selfless service, leadership and commitment to the welfare of their communities have made them role models worthy of emulation.
The award recipients are Chief Nze Emekwa John Bosco Adilieje (Umuona), Chief Arinze Ezenwa (Ekwulobia), Chief Valentine Chineto Ozoigbo (Amesi), Chief Chibunna Okeke (Ora-Eri), Mr. Celestine Nwankwor (Isuofia), Chief Sunday Agwa (Ezinifite), High Chief Pius Akam (Uga), Sir Paul Chuks Umenduka (Achina), Nze Vin De Paul (Akpo), Chief Uzoegbo Chukwube (Aguluezechukwu), Dr. Okwuchukwu Ezeani (Igbo-Ukwu), High Chief Abraham Otti (Umuchu), Chief Sunday Patrick Dim (Ikenga) and Nze Arinze Okamma (Nkpologwu).
Chairman of the occasion and President-General of Umuona, Dr. K.C. Okoli, urged young people to embrace integrity, discipline and selfless service, describing good character as the foundation of responsible leadership.
“The younger generation is watching us. Character, behaviour and values are the foundation of becoming a role model. We must continue to lead by example,” he said, while commending the award recipients for their patriotism and commitment to community development.
The Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area, Dr. Chibuike Oforbuike, called on youths to uphold the virtues of honesty, accountability and positive leadership. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable community development.
Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Chief Arinze Ezenwa expressed gratitude to the ASTUC Youth Wing for the recognition, describing the honour as an encouragement to intensify efforts in the service of humanity and community development.
In his address, the President-General of the ASTUC Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli, urged Anambra youths to return to the enduring values of honesty, hard work and communal living, stressing that building a better society requires collective responsibility.
Okoli also unveiled the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra, which he described as the ideals that have made Ndi Anambra “the Light of the Nation.” The values are Fear of God, Patriotism, Self-Reliance, Discipline, Respect for Life, Truth, Liberty, Justice, Community Spirit, Dignity of Labour, Religious and Ethnic Tolerance, and Love.
He congratulated the award recipients and called on the Aguata Local Government Chairman to institutionalise the recognition of deserving citizens as a strategy for promoting excellence, inspiring community service and encouraging positive role models.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Reformation, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, commended the ASTUC Youth Wing for recognising individuals who have distinguished themselves through selfless service.
He urged youths to shun crime, reject the pursuit of quick wealth and instead embrace integrity, hard work and responsible citizenship, noting that celebrating exemplary individuals would inspire others to make meaningful contributions to community development.
Omenugha reaffirmed his support for Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of building a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Anambra State
